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invitation to play a few pianoforte pieces in the concertarranged for Robert Franz's benefit. I replied that an intervalof 25 years separated me from my last public appearance as apianist, andthat I considered it advisable for me to remainwithin the interval. As I told you last October, it is not myintention to officiate in any way this winter in Vienna.

Herewith I send you an extract from the sitting of the Chamber ofthe day before yesterday, the result of which is almost asunexpected as it is important. The deputies of the conservativeparty and of the opposition voted almost unanimously in favor ofraising the funds for establishing a new Musik-Akademie. And anunusual honor was conferred upon me on the occasion,--for,although I have never come forward in the matter, it wasnevertheless brought forward in my name, and this certainly putsrather a heavy burden upon me. I will endeavor conscientiously todo justice to the honor as well as the burden. For the lastcouple of days a stupid feverish cold in the head has kept me inbed. Tomorrow, however, I shall be up and about again.

Faithfully thine,

F. Liszt

Pest, February 10th, [1873]

126. To Eduard von Liszt

My Dear Friend,

Bosendorfer brings you tidings of the Robert Franz Soiree ofyesterday. [At this soiree Liszt played Beethoven's A-flat majorSonata, Op. 26, No, 4; his own "Soirees de Vienne" (after F.Schubert); Schumann's "Wie aus der Ferne"; and R. Franz's"Lied."] In a fortnight's time I shall have a similar work beforeme as pianoforte player, at a charity concert which Countess AnnaZichy is patronising. Then follows, further, a matinee of theLiszt-Verein at the Stadtpfarrei [The town parsonage], and theperformance of Witt's Mass, of which I undertake the conductingon the 25th March (in the church). At the beginning of April Ishall be with you.

Heartfelt greetings to you and yours from your faithful

F. Liszt

[Pest] March 3rd, 1873

127. To Madame Jessie Laussot

Dear, Excellent Friend,

Your ideas are always very wise, practical and noble; Iparticipate in them beforehand, and esteem myself happy to havethem communicated to me direct. With regard to Robert Franz'slittle capital, I presume that his zealous friends have alreadytaken decisive measures; on my return to Weimar (before the endof April) I will learn whether it is possible to carry out youridea...You know that a thousand thalers have been sent from here,the result of a soiree arranged in Franzs honor. Perhaps I shallfind an opportunity to send him more soon.--

Walter Bache writes me word of his "Ninth Annual Concert" inLondon, with my 13th Psalm. Bache behaves "eroicamente" withregard to me, and takes rank in the very small group of myfriends who are the most determined to show the public--in spiteof the contrary opinion, much believed by influential papers--that my music is not absolutely void of sense. I should like tomake the task of these friends a little easier, and I try not toincrease the merit of their devotion by my faults.

Enclosed is the programme of the concert of our friend Mihalovichyesterday evening. "Romeo and Juliet" was encored, and the"Geisterschiff" did not founder. The audience, very aristocratic,was more select than numerous, which is a good sign for ourfriend. Item the squashing of some learned articles in thepapers.

Will you kindly give my grateful acknowledgments to Mr.Hillebrand for his friendly remembrance, and for sending me hisnew volume on the French? I had read bits of it in the AugsburgGazette, and shall take a double pleasure in reading the entirework. Hillebrand, like Alexander von Humboldt, has a passionateattachment to France;--I am proud to feel that I am in accordwith him also on this point.

The day after tomorrow I shall be in Vienna, and shall spend afortnight with my near relative and friend Eduard Liszt. Afterthat I return to Weimar, and hope to see you there in the summer.I will write to you in good time about the performance of theOratorio Christus...

Respectful homage and cordial friendship,

F. Liszt

Pest, March 30th, 1873

128. To Casar Cui

[Russian composer and musical critic.]

Sir,

Pray excuse my delay in thanking you for your very kind letterthat Mr. Bessel brought me with the piano score of your OperaWilliam Ratcliff. It is the work of a master who deservesconsideration, renown and success, as much for the wealth andoriginality of the ideas as for the skilful handling of the form.As I am persuaded that all intelligent and honest musicians willbe of this opinion, I should like to add to it some assurance onthe next performance of your Ratcliff in Germany. It should bedone at once at Weimar were I in active function at the theateras in the preceding years (from 1848 to '59); but since myretirement I am not any longer in a position to take definitesteps, and must confine myself to recommendations--more oftencounteracted than followed.

Accept, sir, my sincere thanks, and with every expression of highesteem I am, yours truly,

F. Liszt

Weimar, May, 1873

129. To Franz Servais.

Dear Monsieur Franz,

My best wishes accompany you "into your cage." [This usuallymeans "in durance vile," but the word "cage" is preserved here onaccount of the context.--Trans.] You do well to put yourselfthere, and, if the flight of your genius should find itselfsomewhat trammelled, for the time being, before the tribunal ofcounterpoint and fugue, it will soar all the more proudlyafterwards. I hope you will come out of your cage glorious andcrowned; in case of bad luck do not be too much disappointed;more skilful and more valuable men than you and I, dear Franz,have had to have patience, and to have patience yet again. M. deBuffon, when he said "genius is patience," did but make themistake of an incomplete definition; he took a part for thewhole; but that part is absolutely necessary in the practice ofArt, as in that of earthly life.

Please remember me very affectionately to your mother; give ashake of the hand to your brother from me,--and depend ever on mydevoted and affectionate feelings.

F. Liszt

Weimar, June 5th, 1873

130. To the Canoness Adelheid von Schorn

Dear Excellent One,

My little travelling plans have been upset by a letter fromCosima. I did not stop either at Salzungen (where I had arrangedto meet Schuberth) or at Meiningen, and came straight here onSaturday, in accordance with an invitation from Cosima to alittle fete of the workpeople of the theater of the Nibelungen.

Many idle and gossiping people everywhere are troubling theirheads about this theater, and are asking when and how it will befinished building. Instead of descanting foolishly or maliciouslyabout it (the two things sometimes go together), it would bebetter to get a "Patronats-Schein" [a receipt of membership], andthus to join in the grandest and most sublime work of art of thecentury. The glory of having created, written and published it isWagner's intact; his detractors have only to share the disgraceof having thwarted it and delayed the bringing of it to the fulllight of day, by performance.--

Next week I go to Schillingsfurst, and towards the middle ofAugust I shall be back at Weimar.

A thousand very cordially affectionate and devoted regards.

F. Liszt

Bayreuth, July 30th, 1873

131. To Eduard von Liszt

Dearest Eduard,

After an absence of 3 weeks I returned here yesterday. I remainedfirst to days in Bayreuth, from August 26th to September 5th,[The dates here ought certainly to be from July 26th to August5th--as Liszt's letter is dated the 19th of August.] and then thesame length of time in Schillingsfurst (with Cardinal Hohenlohe)and at Langenburg (with Prince Hermann Hohenlohe), whither I hadthe honor of accompanying the Cardinal.

Cosima, Wagner and the five children are in the best of health.The building of the Nibelungen-Theater is progressing famously;if the necessary sum of 300,000 thalers [some 45,000 pounds] ofwhich as yet only about 130,000 have been forthcoming, is gottogether in time, the performance of the "FestivalDrama"--"The Ring of the Nibelung"--is to take place in thesummer of '75.

.--. Simultaneously with his theater, Wagner is building abeautiful and exquisitely situated house close to the Hofgarten.The King of Bavaria has given him 20,000 thalers [some 3,000pounds] for this. Next spring Wagner will take up his abodethere.

My intercourse with Cardinal Hohenlohe is always pleasant. Heleads a very retired life in Schillingsfurst, receives but fewvisits and pays only a few, and occupies himself principally inbuilding and arranging a large schoolhouse and an institution forgirls under the superintendence of a Benedictine Sisterhood.

Great festivities are being arranged here in honor of themarriage of the Hereditary Grand Duke. On September 6th the entryof the bridal pair, on the 7th a Court concert, on the 8th aFestival-play by Devrient in the theater and a performance ofBeethoven's 9th Symphony, etc., etc. I have undertaken to conductthe Symphony and also to play a couple of pianoforte pieces atthe Court concert. A second Festival-play, entitled "The Bride'sWelcome to the Wartburg," written by Scheffel and set to music byme, is to be given on September 2lSt in the Minnesanger Hall inthe Wartburg, where you heard the "Elizabeth" Oratorio.

A few days after this I shall travel to Rome, and remain there 3or 4 weeks. Before the end of October I shall come to you againfor a couple of days before returning to Pest on November 1st.

The dedication-copies of the "Szoszat" and the "Hymnus" for CountAndrassy are not yet ready, it seems. Roszavolgyi (Dunkl) hassent me only a fete ordinary copies of the pianoforte version,and not one of the score. I shall therefore have to wait tillNovember before sending or presenting it to Count Andrassy.

From the Grand Duchess I received 1,000 thalers--but thesetogether with your 500 have all been spent. Be so good as to sendme another 300 thalers next week! For my journey to Rome I shallprobably, towards the middle of September, again have to ask youfor a note of 500 francs. Although I do not go in for anyluxuries, money vanishes quickly and readily in my hands.

Heartiest greetings to your wife and children, and au revoir inVienna at the end of October.

Faithfully thine,

F. Liszt

Weimar, August l0th, 1873

132. To Franz Servais

Dear Victorious One,

Your letter had been travelling several days in Bavaria before itreached me here yesterday morning. I thank you for letting metake an affectionate part in the success you have obtained, and Iwish to keep that part throughout your future successes--and evenfailures. The latter will not do you any great harm, providedthat you know how to keep that attachment to work, and thatperseverance in noble ideas, which are the chief heirloom of theartist. Lassen tells me that we are shortly to hear your "Tasso"here: my attentive sympathy is wide awake; so fulfil yourpromise, dear Franz, by coming before the end of this month, andwe will talk at our ease at the Hofgartnerei of our aims andplans.

Often I am behindhand and stop short of thanks with you, but itis certainly not for want of sincere affection and esteem.

Your "9th Annual Concert" has again shown the worth of yourtalents and the firm constancy of your character. Now in ourartistic world character is still more rare than talent.

You nobly unite the two; it is a pleasure to me to acknowledgeit, and to count you amongst the most devoted champions ofprogress and of musical good sense.

At their head, by right of age and capability, walksimperturbably and gloriously Hans de Bulow.

Will you give him the enclosed letter? and believe me ever, dearBache,

Your very cordially affectionate

F. Liszt

Weimar, August 20th, 1873

134. To Max Erdmannsdorfer, Hofcapellmeister in Sonderhausen

[At present Capellmeister in Bremen; he has rendered good serviceto the cause of the New-German musical tendency both in Germanyand Russia.]

Very Dear Herr Capellmeister,

Your friendly invitation for me to attend the performance of your"Schneewittchen" I am unfortunately unable to accept. Owing tothe festivities at the Wartburg it is impossible for me to getaway next week. Will you kindly convey to the Princess Elizabethmy regrets as well as my most gracious thanks?

On Sunday, September 28th, I shall have the pleasure of thankingyou personally in Sondershausen for arranging and carrying outthe extraordinary concert programme. It is my special wish thatthe two "Faust Episodes" should not be separated--even at therisk of wearying the public for a few minutes with the"Nachtlicher Zug." [Two Episodes from Lenau's Faust (Leipzig,Schuberth).] But this piece does not appear to me altogether sobad...

I beg you again to repeat my sincere praise to the Sondershausenartists who played so admirably here last Monday in the 9thSymphony, and remain, very dear Sir, with marked feelings ofesteem,

Yours in all friendship,

F. Liszt

Weimar, September 16th, 1873

Kahnt, Gille, J. Schuberth, Lassen and several other friends ofmine are going to attend the Sondershausen concerts on the 28thand 29th September.

The Weimar presentation I will bring you.

135. To Otto Lessmann

Dear Friend,

Best thanks for sending Kiel's "Christus"--a work full ofspiritual substance, of noble and fine sentiments, and masterlyin execution. Riedel proposes to give a performance of it nextwinter it Leipzig.

With such a clause as Joachim introduces for the "Novitaten-Concerten"--"that only such composers shall be taken intoconsideration in the programmes whose renown as artisticrepresentatives of the German nation is established"--Handel,Bach, Mozart, nay even Beethoven, would have come off badly intheir life-time!

Whether it is appropriate for the Berlin Hochschule to act in sospecially a high and mighty manner remains to be seen. Still itis to be expected that such procedure is likely itself to meetwith some other restricting "clauses."

Of the arrangement for 8 hands of the Pastorale and March [FromLiszt's Oratorio "Christus."] which I wish to have from you, youwill have already heard from Schuberth. Likewise from Kahnt ofthe couple of pieces from the "Elizabeth."

Au revoir on Sunday, the 28th September, in Sondershausen, wherewe shall have a curious (sonderliches) Programme. Receiveherewith, dear friend, a special invitation, together with theassurance of my friendly attachment.

F. Liszt

Weimar, September 24th, 1873

I shall bring you back your copy of Kiel's Christus toSondershausen.

136. To Kornel von Abranyi

Dear Valiant Friend,

Your letter, and the printed paper of great fame whichaccompanies it, recalls to me the saying, "La joie fait peur."[Abranyi, who was the Secretary of the Festival Committee whichhad been formed for the celebration of Liszt's Artist-Jubilee inNovember 1873 at Budapest, had in their name invited Liszt totake part in this.] Nevertheless I could not suit myself to therole of a coward; I will therefore endeavor to surmount my fearand to make myself worthy to share with my brave compatriots inthe joy they have prepared for me.

I beg you, in your capacity of secretary of the FestivalCommittee, to present my most grateful thanks, in good Hungarian,to the most illustrious and most reverend President, MonseigneurHaynald, [The Archbishop of Kalocsa, afterwards Cardinal, Liszt'sfriend of many years. (Being interested in the presentcollection, he promised to contribute to it the letters addressedto him "by the great artist and noble man." His deathunfortunately prevented the fulfilment of his promise, and theArchiepiscopal Chapter of Kalocsa did not accede to the requestof the editor to be allowed to have these letters.)] and to themembers of the Committee.

Baron Augusz had written me word that he would come here in themiddle of September, to be present at the "Festspiel" [FestivalPlay] at the Wartburg. He shall soon receive news from me fromRome, where I shall arrive on Sunday. Schuberth is sending youthe score and the piano score of the "Christ," together with thebiographical notices for which you asked me. My cousin Eduardwill send you the "postscript" immediately.

Cordial friendship and fruitful collaboration.

F. Liszt

Weimar, October 1st, 1873

Herewith the programmes of the 2 concerts at Sondershausen atwhich I was present. This afternoon I start for Rome,--and on the1st November shall be at Pest.

137. To Martha Remmert

[A pupil of Liszt's; became later Kammervirtuosin (court-pianist)in Weimar, and lives now in Berlin.]

Pest, December 27th, 1873

Dear Fraulein,

The best "solution" in reply to the ministerial order lies inyour hands. Merely play the first page of Henselt's Concerto andno one will doubt that I am very kindly disposed towards you. AndI shall be glad to render you further service in your zeal forstudy and your ambition as a virtuosa. No matter whether I be inPest or in Weimar.

In all friendliness yours,

F. Liszt

138. To ?

[Autograph without address or date in the possession of CountAlbert Amadei in Vienna.--According to him the letter belongs tothe year 1873.]

Very dear Fraulein,

Please reply at once per telegram:--"Please do not come.--Lisztdoes not need or wish to be heard, as he has no one for whom hemust strike up."

Tomorrow evening more by word of mouth.

Sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

Monday

139. To Countess Marie Dunhoff in Vienna

[Sketch of a letter in the possession of Herr O. A. Schulz,bookseller in Leipzig.--The addressee, the wife of the Germanambassador Von Bulow, lives now in Bucharest.]

[Beginning of January, 1874]

Dear Countess,

You speak to me so eloquently of the merit, talent andsuperiority of Madame L.B. that I am quite ashamed of notfulfilling her wish subito. But in reality that would be moredifficult than she imagines; a "petit morceau de piano" wouldonly be a small part of the matter; the public is a very exactingmaster, even in its days of favor; the more it gives the more itexpects...

Half a dozen such requests as that of Madame L.B. have beenaddressed to me at Vienna this week. How can one suffice for sucha business, which, be it said in passing, is at once outside andfar beyond my duties?--At my age one must try to behavereasonably, and to avoid excess; I shall therefore limit myselfin Vienna to the one concert of the "Kaiser Franz JosephStiftung," [Emperor Francis Joseph Scholarship] which reasons ofgreat propriety, easy to understand, have led me to accept withalacrity. I am told that it will take place on Sunday, 11thJanuary; so be it: I shall willingly conform to the arrangementsof the Committee and have no other wish in this matter than...notto inconvenience anybody. [The concert for the "Emperor FrancisJoseph Scholarship" did not take place till April; and Liszt didactually play, in the Easter week, for the Countess's protegee,though not in the Concert Room, but in the Palais Auersperg.]

Permit me to hope, dear Countess, that you will not, under thepretext of "discretion," inflict upon me the immense punishmentof seeing you less often this time than formerly, and that youwill not retract any of your kindness, on which I place thegreatest store.

A thousand and a thousand sincere and most respectfully devotedexpressions of homage.

F. Liszt

140. To B. Bessel, Music Publisher in St. Petersburg

Horpacs (Chez le Comte Szechenyi), February 2nd, 1874.

Dear Sir,

Pray excuse me for being so late in thanking you,--you and allthose who signed the telegram sent to Pest on the occasion of myjubilee fete. I am deeply touched with the noble sentiments itexpresses with a chivalrous eloquence, and beg you to convey thetribute of my most sincere gratitude to Messrs. Balakireff,Borodine, Cui, Moussorsky, Rimski-Korsakoff, Scherbatcheff, andStassoff.

You were kind enough, Sir, to let me see several of their worksat Weimar; I appreciate and esteem them highly, and as far asdepends on myself I will do all I can to make them known, andshall feel honored thus to respond to the sympathetic kindnesswhich brave colleagues such as these accord to

Kindly excuse the delay in my sending you my sincere thanks,which I shall very shortly take the liberty of expressing to youpersonally in Vienna. I shall then also ask you to do me thefavor of making me more intimately acquainted with your excellenttranscriptions. In reading them through one at once observes theauthor's masterly style and his care and artistic handling of thecharacteristic peculiarities of the harmonium, especially in themanagement of the basses and the mid-voice parts. But still themere reading your transcriptions does not satisfy me, and Ishould like to hear them, so as to be able fully to enjoy them.

Herr Bosendorfer will bring you the manuscript of the"Consolation," the dedication of which is very acceptable to me.The transcription of this small piece into A major appears to mevery appropriate, and the arrangement excellent.

With marked esteem and friendly thanks,

F. Liszt

Pest, March 2lst, 1874

142. TO C. F. Kahnt, the Music Publisher

[Published in the Neue Zeitung fur Musik, 14th September, 1892.]

Dear Friend,

The day after tomorrow I again go to Vienna, and remain thereabout a week. In case the "Prometheus" proofs are ready send themto me to my usual address ("Schottenhof bei Hofrath E. v. Liszt")by the middle of Easter week; after that my address will berather uncertain, as I intend spending a few days in Pressburgand Kalocsa (with Archbishop Haynald), and do not return heretill after April 20th. Hence, if the "Prometheus" proofs are notready within the next few days, do not send them till after myreturn to Pest (April 21).

Please send the proofs of Mihalovich's songs as soon as possibleto the composer, addressed to

"Servitenplatz, im Teleky'schen Haus."

The Vienna concert in the "Palais Auersperg" is announced forEaster Monday, April 6th. The following Sunday, or at latest onSunday the 19th April, the concert of the "Kirchenmusik-Verein"is to be given in Pressburg, at which I take a part in piano-playing--it is to be hoped for the last time this year!--

I think of remaining here from April 2lst to the beginning ofMay, and then of wandering straightway to Rome, and to the Villad'Este.

I wish you in all friendliness a happy Easter, with satisfactorybusiness at the Easter's fair, and remain your sincerely attached

F. Liszt

Pest, March 29th, 1874

Have you sent Countess Oriolla the omitted copy of the "WartburgSongs"?

143. To Dr. Franz Witt

[1874?]

I look forward with eager interest to the realisation of yourscheme to found a Catholic School of Music. The numerous andimportant services you have rendered as composer, conductor,teacher, promoter and president of the Cacilien-Verein proclaimand mark you as pre-eminently fitted to organize and direct thishighly important kind of School. I should wish that Hungary, myfatherland, might set a good example, and might offer you, myvery dear friend, an honorable and influential post in the Musik-Akademie that was voted for last year in the Chamber. This wishof mine was seconded with cordiality by His Eminence the CardinalPrimate, His Excellency the Archbishop of Kalocsa, Haynald, andH. E. Trefort, the Minister of Public Instruction. Variouspolitical circumstances interfered with the plan of starting aMusik-Akademie in Pest; but the idea has by no means been givenup, and I have still the hope that you may yet at some future daybe called upon to give your powerful assistance in connectionwith the teaching and practice of Church music in Hungary.

144. To Professsor Carl Riedel

Dear Friend,

As at all preceding Tonkunstler-Versammlungen, you have againthis year in Brunswick done the best that was possible. [TheMeeting took place in Halle, instead of in Brunswick.] Fiveconcerts sound almost alarming, but the programmes are drawn upand arranged with so much forethought and care that your master-hand and that indescribable "with avec" (as dear Frau Dr. Pohlcalled it) are at once to be recognised. It certainly wasadvisable to check the "democratic movements" of the orchestrawithout interfering with the well-meant "command." That theSondershausen set continue to prove themselves reliable andfriendly I am delighted to hear. I wish all possible success toErdmannsdorfer's "Schneewittchen." The youthful and captivatingFrau Kapellmeisterin Erdmannsdorfer is especially capable ofdoing justice to Raff's Trio (or Concerto) and other pianofortepieces. [Pauline Fichtner, who married Erdmannsdorfer, was apupil of Liszt's, and became court-pianist at Weimar and Hesse.]

Will Bulow be able to be present? We have not written to eachother for some time past. Do you know where to address him justnow?

In case my Faust Symphony is given at the 5th concert (as yourprogramme announces), I beg you to ask Bulow to be conductor.This work has become his property since he conducted it somagnificently at the Weimar Tonkunstler-Versammlung ('61), whenthe whole orchestra was amazed and astounded at his fabulousmemory. You will remember that not only did he not use a score,but at the rehearsal referred to the numberless letters anddouble letters with unerring accuracy.

With regard to two other matters I wish: A, that Steinway mayhave the kindness to lend one of his excellent harmoniums for theHunnenschlacht, and that the instrument may be so placed as to beinvisible to the public and yet distinctly heard. B, that theperformance of the Sanctus from the Mass for men's voices betaken from the editio nova (published a few years ago by Hartel),and not from the earlier edition. Here, too, Steinway's harmoniumwould render excellent service, visible and placed close to thechorus. Perhaps our friend Stade would have the kindness to playthe harmonium part of the Hunnenschlacht and of the Sanctus.--

I truly regret that I shall not be able to hear that sublime,grand and overpowering Requiem by Berlioz, nor to attend theMusical Festival in Brunswick. I am physically and mentally veryexhausted, and need several months' rest; besides my remainingaway from Weimar forbids me from meanwhile visiting any otherGerman towns.--Before the middle of May I shall go direct toRome, and remain there till the end of the year in my formerresidence at the Villa d'Este (3-1/2 hours from Rome).

[This letter, like the subsequent one to Haberl, is a copy of thedraft of a letter of Liszt's by Dr. Mirus in Weimar.--Haberl is adistinguished musical scholar (born in 1840).]

[1874?]

Pardon me if I again come with claims upon your kindness. You mayknow that I am working at an Oratorio on St. Stanislaus, andperhaps might be able to give me some assistance with it bycommunicating to me the liturgic hymns referring to the feast ofSt. Stanislaus. The Enchyrydion and Directorium Chori designatethe Mass, Protexisti, etc., on May 7th. To receive fullerinformation from you on this point would greatly oblige me.[Haberl also gave Liszt aural communications regarding theStanislaus legend. "On one occasion," says Haberl, "Liszt wasspecially and greatly delighted to hear of the man whomStanislaus summoned out of the grave as a witness that the fieldhad been paid for, and gave me a sketch of his proposed motivesand tone pictures."]

Herzogenberg's [Formerly Director of the Leipzig Bach-Verein,then Kiel's successor at the Berlin Hochschule, which post helately resigned.] "Deutsches Liederspiel pleases me very much.The very first chorus with its mixed species of tempi 6/4-3/2 and6/4-3/2 is fresh and pithy, and the whole work seems to me.excellent, pleasant and effective. Hence I should much like torecommend its being performed.

Where does Herzogenberg live? Has he any appointment anywhere?Let me know, when you can, something of his former and presentwork.

(N.B.--It would be worth while, later, carefully to arrange the"Deutsches Liederspiel" for orchestra.)

I observe with special pleasure that Grutzmacher has chosen aSuite of St. Saens'. St. Saens will not, however, be able tocome,--the less so as a few years ago his appearance in quite aharmless concert in Baden-Baden brought down upon him hideousrebukes and reproaches from the Parisian Press. And the tone inFrance is not yet more temperate; still it is right that Germanartists should prove themselves fair and just towards foreigners,and, as long as Auber's and Gounod's Operas are given in allGerman theaters, I see no good reason against considering andperforming other works by French composers. Among moderncomposers I regard St. Saens as the ablest and most gifted.

I am much satisfied with the choice you have made of my things,dear friend, and thank you cordially for it--at the same time Imust express my sincere regret that I am unable to attend theTonkunstler-Versammlung, and remain, with much esteem, yours mostsincerely,

F. Liszt

Pest, May 5th, 1874

147. To Princess Julie Waldburg at Castle Wurzach

Madame La Princesse,

I feel that I am quite inexcusable. You have been so kind as tosend me some charming Lieder, and to accompany them with the mostgracious lines in the world. How could I fail to thank you forthem immediately? What rusticity!--Deign to think of this nolonger, Princess; and permit me not to "judge" your songs,--magisterial competency would fail me utterly,--but to tell youthat I have read them with much pleasure. The one of which thestyle and impassioned accent please me particularly is dedicatedto Mme. Ehnn--"Liebeshoffnung"; but I do not mean to depreciatethe others.

The oriental interval of the augmented fourth, which I scent inthe "Mondlied," would be written, I think, more simply thus:--

[Here, Liszt writes a 2-bar musical score excerpt]

and further on

[Here, Liszt writes another musical score excerpt]

(C instead of B-sharp). And to prove to you, Princess, myattention in reading your works, I will venture to observe to youthat in the French Romance "Comme a vingt ans" the prosody isneglected in the third couplet. Instead of the printed version(with two syllables omitted) it should run something like this:--

If I still had, as in Vienna, the honor of finding myself in yourneighborhood, I hope you would grant me a word of indulgence; andmeanwhile, Madame la Princesse, I venture to beg you to acceptthe most respectful homage of

Your very humble and inexcusable servant,

F. Liszt

Pest, May 10th, 1874

148. To Peter Cornelius

Dearest Friend of my Heart,

Again a request. You alone can help me, and give me in German afaithful poetical rendering of Lamartine's "Hymne de l'enfant ason reveil."

Years ago I used to sing this hymn, from my inmost heart, to mythree children; you remember them...

And now the composition (what an unknown word for it!) is toappear in print, and the publisher Taborszky in Pest will sendyou my manuscript together with a copy of the poem. In case anyprosodical alterations should seem appropriate, be kind enough towrite them down distinctly in notes on a separate sheet of paper.

Tomorrow I travel direct to Rome, and shall spend the summer andautumn in the Villa d'Este (Tivoli). There, at length, our"Stanislaus" shall be pushed forward. [Cornelius translated thetext to the Oratorio "Stanislaus."]

Your friendly communication rests upon a harmless mistake. You donot seem to know that for 26 years past I have altogether ceasedto be regarded as a pianist; hence I have for a long time notgiven any concerts, and only very occasionally played the pianoin public, for some very special reason, to aid some charity orto further some artistic object, and then only in Rome, Hungary(my native country), and in Vienna--nowhere else. And on theserare and very exceptional occasions no one has ever thought ofoffering me any remuneration in money. Excuse me therefore, dearSir, that I cannot accept your invitation to the LiverpoolMusical Festival, inasmuch as I cannot in any way think ofwearying the public with my "whilom" piano-playing.

Respectfully yours,

F. Liszt

150. To Walter Bache

Dear and Honored Friend,

I am often with you in kindest remembrance and cordial sympathywith your admirable efforts, but unfortunately I rarely get anyletters written to the friends I value most, for my time iswasted with a number of wearisome and useless notes. I have justdespatched one of this sort to a Mr. E. in L. The good maninvites me to the Festival to be held there, asks me to considerthe matter, and even offers me a remuneration in money forplaying--without imagining that I have anything else or better todo than to accept such invitations. To me concert tours would beabsolutely senseless; to fulfil my duties in Pest and Weimargives me trouble and interruptions enough. All the other thingsneed not be enumerated.

The summer and autumn (till my return to Pest in January '75) Imean to spend here quietly and at work. Last Monday and Tuesday Ihad the special pleasure of a visit from Bulow. And we thought ofyou in all friendship.--Bulow is now going to Salzungen (nearMeiningen) for a couple of months, to recover from the terriblefatigues of his concert tour, and next October goes again toLondon.

Remember me most kindly to Mr. Dannreuther with assurances offaithful attachment, and do me the favor to give the enclosednotes of thanks to Messrs. Hueffer and Gounod.

A hearty welcome, therefore, to the old place where again isresting your old and sincere friend,

F. Liszt

June 2lst, 1874

(Villa d'Este,--Tivoli, per Roma--Italia.)

151. To Dr. Franz Witt

[Villa d'Este, Early Summer, 1874.]

Much-esteemed Sir and Friend,

The lively recollection I entertain of the truly edifying Church-music performances in Eichstatt under your direction [On theoccasion of the 3rd General Assembly of the Cacilien-Verein inEichstatt, August 1871] increases my regret that I am unable toaccept your friendly invitation to the 5th General Assembly ofthe Cacilien-Verein in Ratisbon (between the 1st and 7th August)[The Assembly was held on the above-mentioned days.]. A wearisomepiece of work will keep me here till my return to Pest in January'75. Next summer, however, I hope again to pay you a visit, andto gather excellent precepts and examples from you. Meanwhile Iam reading your Essays with peculiar satisfaction, and moreespecially your com-positions in the "Musica sacra" and the"Fliegende Blatter." "Fliegend" [flying] must here be taken inthe higher, angelic sense; in the latter sense O salutaris hostiasounds altogether comforting Musica angelorum, such as pleasantlyanimates all your Church tone-works.

152. To Dr. Franz Haberl

[A portion of this letter is printed in Dr. Mirus' brochure, "DasLiszt-Museum in Weimar" (1892), which contains many interestingrelics of Liszt.]

[Villa d'Este, Early Summer, 1874.]

Much-esteemed Sir and Friend

To my sincere regret I find myself prevented from attending theCacilien-Verein in Ratisbon.

The efforts and performances of the Verein I follow with thedeepest interest, and anticipate that its promoters--who are socapable, careful and learned--will accomplish all that is trulyof advantage in Church music. And in this Ratisbon has for manyyears past deserved to rank first, and you, my much-esteemedfriend, deserve the fullest recognition that can be offered forthe abundant services you have rendered in the cause. Accept mygrateful thanks for kindly sending Vittoria's Missa prodefunctis, [A six-voiced Requiem given by Dr. Haberl at the 5thGeneral Assembly of the Cacilien-Verein in Ratisbon in 1874, andpublished in the "Musica divina," Annus II., Tom. I, by Pustet]which was brought to me by the Chaplain of the Anima Church. Willyou be so kind as to get Herr Pustet to send me also, throughLeukoch, [Perhaps ought to read Leuckart?] "Mannuale brevecanticum," etc.? [A little book of Chorales by Joh. GeorgMettenleiter]

In spite of the grievous news of your continued sufferings I donot give up the hope of seeing you here again soon, and of takingall friendly care of you; and you shall not in the least degreebe troubled or wearied; merely recruit from your over-exertionsby living simply and comfortably amid quiet and congenialsurroundings.

Hence I take the liberty again of inviting your Reverence tospend the next months with me here in the Villa d'Este, where youwill find rest, quiet and cosiness, mild air, glorious scenery,pleasant walks, good eating, good wine, books, music, pianos tomake use of ad libitum, and a temperature mentally agreeable.

Cardinal Hohenlohe requests me to say that you will be heartilywelcome, and this message is communicated with unmixed pleasureby your very respectful and sincerely grateful

F. Liszt

153. To Edmund von Mihalovich

Very Dear Friend,

Your Prologue to the Nibelungen in course of performance at theWalhalla-Roszavolgyi has royally amused me. [A joke ofMihalovich, who had nicknamed several mutually known people withthe names and characters out of the Nibelungen] I wish thatWagner may find in Messrs. Betz, Scaria, Niemann, etc.,interpreters as well suited to their roles as Richter-Wotan,Dunkl-Loge, Abranyi-Thor and Gobbi-Mime.

At Bayreuth "fervet opus" The preparatory piano rehearsals aregoing on; celebrated artists are growing thick on the ground,like the suitors at Penelope's court. Joseph Rubinstein suspendshis commercial occupations, and returns from Cracow to drive thefour-in-hand accompaniment of Rheingold. The architects,painters, decorators, machinists, costumiers and their people arecontinuing their work; therefore, in spite of difficulties andobstacles, the great work of Art of this century--Wagner'sTetralogy of the Nabelungen--will come to pass, and I hope to bepresent at the first performance with my very dear friends Mi andDo. [Mihalovich was called Mi by Liszt, and Count Apponyi Do.]--Meanwhile let us go on patiently at our own modest work, andendeavor to make it as suitable as possible. Next winter we willmake an exchange of our latest sheets of music. I will bring apretty thick packet to Sir Hagbar. [An Opera by Mihalovich(Hagbar and Sigurd)]

Schuberth promises me the "Geisterschiff" in the autumn; we willthen launch it at once with Sgambati, who has just composedseveral Lieder, exquisite in sentiment. I have recently written,as an Impromptu, without any forethought, an Elegie in memory ofMme. de Moukhanoff, entitled "Schlummerlied im Grabe" [SlumberSong in the Grave.]

Your kind wishes for my repose are being realised here. I pass mydays very peaceably, and my evenings alone, in reading, writingor playing. Since the departure of Bulow, who gave me his mosteminent company for two days (in the middle of June), I have, soto say, seen nobody. He is now making his villeggiatura atSalzungen near Meiningen, returns to England in the month ofNovember, and will not go to America till the autumn of '75.

Let me hear something about Do and Horpacs. [An estate of CountEmmerich Szechenyi, the former Austro-Hungarian ambassador inBerlin, whom Liszt frequently visited.] I will write to themlater.

154. To Peter Cornelius

[The letter is addressed to Neuenahr, where Cornelius had gonefor a water-cure, shortly before his death. The translation ofthe Cacilia-legend he did not accomplish.]

Dear and valued Friend,

You have again presented me with a marvellous gift. Your Germantranslation of Lamartine's "Hymne de l'enfant a son reveil" isexquisitely successful, and retains all the fragrance and aromaof the original poem.

All and everything fits in so exactly with the music, syllable bysyllable, that it seems as if the poem and music had sprung uptogether. Verily, dear friend, you are an extremely kind and mostperfect magician. Now do not be vexed with me if my gratefulappreciation of your skill should prove somewhat covetous, and Iagain ask you to do me a favor. A little French poem of 48 shortlines, "Sainte Cecile, Legende," by Madame Emile Girardin(Delphine Gay) is awaiting your poetic courtesy. Allow me to sendyou my finished composition of this Cacilia, the musicalfoundation of which is furnished by the Gregorian antiphone:"Cantantibus organis, Caecilia Domino decantabat." It is to behoped that I have not spoilt it, and I trust to your friendlykindliness to send me a German translation of it before the nextCacilia Festival (22nd November), soon after which it shall beprinted, and a performance of it given in Pest.

The delay with the edition of your two Operas I sincerely regret.They deserve much greater appreciation and a much widercirculation than hundreds of others that are printed, and thepublication of the pianoforte scores is sure to effect this forthem. Meanwhile I am glad that you have made use of my suggestionto base the Overture of the "Barber" on the pleasantlycharacteristic motive--

If you should see Frau Schott in Mainz, give her my kindestremembrances. For some time past various manuscripts have beenlying ready which I should have liked to hand over to Schott'shouse of business; but fear that they might arrive at aninopportune moment. The very title, "Drei symphonische Trauer-Oden" ["Three Symphonic Funeral Odes"] might prove alarming; andbesides, the scores--all about 20 pages in length--would have tobe published simultaneously with the pianoforte transcriptions(for one or two performers). Well, "we can wait."...

I am working pretty industriously at the "Sanct Stanislaus." Ofthis you will tomorrow receive a full report--and an urgentrequest for speedy, energetaeally accentuated pains over theessential but not lengthy alterations of the text.

155. To Ludwig Bosendorfer in Vienna

[Head of the celebrated pianoforte manufactory, nowCommerzienrath (Councillor of Commerce)]

Dear friend,

With my sincere thanks for your interesting reports of the Viennamusical world I would gladly have given you something of the samekind in return. But there is here nothing whatever in the way ofnovelties or specialities in the way of concerts; be content,therefore, if my letter today mentions only one, but to me a veryimportant artistic item--namely, the frequent use of your piano,which, among other virtues, possesses a wondrous power of notgetting out of tune [Unverstimmtheit]. Since its despatch fromVienna not a tuner has touched it, and yet it keeps in beautifultune, and steadily resists all variations and effects oftemperature.

Till the end of January I shall remain quietly at work here; thengo direct to Pest--and by the middle of April on to Weimar. Mythoughts and efforts require now only peace and seclusion. Theseare things that suit me best in my old age, and uphold me inspiritual intercourse with my dear and true friends. As such Igreet you and your wife heartily and sincerely.

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, August 28th, 1874

156. To Adelheid von Schorn in Weimar

Dear and Most excellent One,

For our grand coup you come in completely in your role ofprovidence, which you fill with such complete good grace, andwith an admirable mastery! I cannot tell you what immense comfortyour letter brings me, with its assurance of your speedy arrivalin Rome. Try not to delay it beyond the 25th-30th November, andif possible come sooner. Princess Wittgenstein is still verysuffering, and has kept her bed entirely for six weeks; yourcompany and the inspirations of your solicitude will do her moregood than all the Allo-and Homoeopaths put together.

I beg that you will write to her speedily to announce yourcoming, for she is ignorant and must be kept in completeignorance of the plot we have hatched with Princess Marie [Thedaughter of Princess Wittgenstein.], the happy success of whichyou will crown. (questions of detail will be easily settled toyour satisfaction, in such a manner that the stay in Rome will bethoroughly pleasant to you.

It is understood that you will not mention the question of whereyou will live to Princess W., who has already only too much worryabout her own rooms. In my opinion it would be best for you to goto the Hotel d'Amerique, Via Babuino (close by the house of thePrincess and of the one where I live), and to spend some daysthere, until you see where you can settle yourself comfortably,whether at the Pension (also very near the Babuino) where yourcousin Octavie stayed, or elsewhere.

When you reach Bologna, please let me know by telegram on whatday you will arrive; I will meet you at the station, and it willbe a real joy to me to escort you to your first abode in Rome.

Thank you with all my heart, and yours ever,

F. Liszt

Rome October 12th, 1874 (Vicolo de Greci, 43.)

The Princess is living at Via Babuino 59.

Your letter was only returned to me from Tivoli yesterdayevening.

I shall remain here, or at the Villa d'Este, till the end ofJanuary.--

157. To Breitkopf and Hartel

Very dear Sirs,

The kind reception you gave the last sending of my somewhatcumbersome manuscripts and revisions pleased me greatly. I willalways gladly do what I can to not increase the publishers'worries, and henceforth print only what has been carefully workedout and will prove tolerably acceptable.

With regard to the form in which the Songs and Wagner-transcriptions are to be published, you may act altogether as youthink best. I did certainly think that the convenient and neatedition in small octavo would be preferable (like the lastedition of Chopin and my "Etudes transcendantes"): hence in from5 to 6 little volumes:--

1. Beethoven (The "Adelaide" and other Songs);2. Mendelssohn (6 Songs);3. Robert and Clara Schumann;4. Robert Franz;5 to 6 (?). Wagner-transcriptions.

This would in no way prevent the songs and pieces of severalpages (such as the "Adelaide," Mendelssohn's Songs, the"Tannhauser-March," the "Rienzi-Fantasia," etc.' being soldsingly--in the same small 8vo form which, candidly speaking, Ialways like best. As long ago as the year '39 I induced Haslingerto publish Schubert's songs in an edition of this kind--and atthat time it seemed rather a doubtful innovation. Also aboutplacing the words below the music. I wish this, for the sake ofthe poetical delivery in all of the songs, except the "Adelaide,"because the poem roams about rather too freely in rococo style.Let us leave "the flow'ret at the grave" to bloom on quietlywithout retouching it again.

I must unfortunately again trouble you to send me all the proofs.It is a matter of great moment to me to have the things arrangedas accurately and as appropriately for the piano as possible. Andfor this I require the last proofs, in order finally to revisethem in reading and playing them over. (For the printer'sconsolation be it remarked that no new alterations shall now cropup again; my zeal in correcting shall be confined to making somepedal marks and fingerings.) First of all I should like to tryover Sgambati's duet arrangement of the "Ideale" with him; andyou will doubtless do me the favor of sending me the proof sheetsstitched together before I leave here (at the end of January).--

I leave the matter concerning the small honorarium confidently toyour well-known kindly disposition, and remain, very dear Sirs,

Yours respectfully and most obediently,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, November 24th, 1874

158. To Count Albert Apponyi in Budapest

[From an undated rough draft of a letter in the possession ofHerr O. A. Schulz, bookseller in Leipzig. (The date has beenascertained from a letter to Mihalovich.)--The addressee was thewell-known Hungarian statesman.]

[Villa d'Este, December 6th, 1874]

Dear and Very Honored Friend,

Your excellent letter of the 27th November reached me hereyesterday evening. I hasten to give you my very sincere thanks,and to add a frank reply on the question of the Academy of Music.

First of all I think the "moyen violent" [violent means] ofHuszar, which will deliver us from barren tittle-tattle, isright; let us throw the Seeschlange [sea serpent] into theDanube, and if he wants an epitaph here is one: "It is better todo nothing than to do stupidities."

Now, are we the stupid ones?--The Government is much interestedin this affair; the Sovereign's decision has been obtained; Iknow not what official publication has followed. You yourself,dear Count, have brilliantly persuaded the Chamber of Deputiesthat the said Academy would be of use in raising Art in Hungary;my necessary humble reserve has been taken by the public asconsent.--Is it possible now to take no account of suchprecedents, and to draw back when it is a question of advancing?I do not think so, and I am quite of your opinion, as wise as itis opportune.

In spite of the difficulties of a position embroiled with diversworries, and in spite of the scantiness of the financial means,we ought to stick to our affirmative position and not in theleast to give way.

As to my "personal convenience," which you are good enough totake into such kind consideration, permit me to assure you anewthat I aspire to one only blessing--quiet time for work in my ownroom. Orare et laborare. The point of honor, which no oneunderstands better than yourself, attaches me to Hungary, ourcountry. May I fulfil there all my duty of gratitude!--

I shall be back at Pest (Fischplatz) on the 10th February, andshall rejoice to hear the Ballade of our valiant friendMihalovich, to whom I shall write tomorrow.

Yours from my heart,

F. Liszt

159. To Edmund von Mihalovich

Dear Excellent Friend,

I wrote the day before yesterday to Do, and was about to continuewith a letter to you when a telegram called me subitissimo backto Rome. The thread of my ideas has not been broken on thejourney, and I resume our conversation, a trois, on the longgestation--omen of abortion--of the Hungarian Academy of Music.

I trust that my very dear and honored friends will be convincedof my perfect disinterestedness in the question; the idea of anAcademy is in no way mine if I become sponsor to it, it will bein self-defence and without any connivance at paternity whatever;I even refuse to help in the procreation of the marmot [brat];and, far from making myself, before my time, in any way itschampion or propagandist, I hesitate over the difficulties whichare opposed to its birth. I have explained these many a time tomy Budapest friends, and the difficulties have increased ratherthan diminished during these last three years...

1stly. The financial situation of the country appears to be suchthat one must scruple to burden the budget with an expenditurebeyond urgent needs. My patriotism is sufficiently sincere andlively to counsel me to abstention, including every renunciationthat is compatible with my strict duty.

2ndly. It would be a poor luxury to add a third music school tothe two schools already existing (meagrely) at Pest. If onecannot emulate with honor the similar establishments of Vienna,Leipzig, etc.--what is the good of troubling any further aboutit? Now, to give a vigorous impulse to Art among us, we mustfirst unite and fuse into one spirit a set of professors of well-known capability,--a very arduous and ungrateful task, theaccomplishment of which demands much intelligence, and asufficient amount of cleverness and of money.

Other minor, local considerations complicate the matter stiltfurther; I pass them over in silence today, and will not repeatmyself any more except on one point,--my religious devotion toour country and our art. To serve them somewhat, according to themoderate degree of my talent, whether it be in working by myselfat my manuscripts (which is what I much prefer), or incooperating with my friends in public things, this is my simpleand exclusive desire, totally removed from the personalpretensions or anxieties of vanity which are wrongly imputed tome.

My friends are those who haunt the Ideal; there, dear friend, we"recognise" each other, and shall always do so,--but not "in themud," illustrated by a fascinating poet, too much celebrated andtainted by the triviality of vulgar applause--Heine. Amongstother things he had predicted that the Cathedral of Cologne wouldnever be finished. "In vain will Franz Liszt give his concerts,"etc.--

You know that Wagner is coming to Pest in Lent. It is only rightthat several of your compositions--especially the last, "Sello"--should be performed in public at that time. Talk the matter overwith Richter. I on my side will ring the "Bells." Please begAbranyi to hurry with the Hungarian translation of Longfellow'spoem (the Prologue to the "Golden Legend"), and to follow, notthe German translation of the "Pianoforte score," which I havesent to Engesser, but the original English text. [Liszt had setto music the Prologue to the "Golden Legend," under the title"Die Glocken des Strassburger Munsters"--"The Bells of StrassburgCathedral."]

Yours in cordial friendship,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, December 8th, 1874

I will write tomorrow to the very gracious chatelaine of Horpacs.

160. To Carl Hoffbauer in Munich

[From a copy belonging to Dir. Aug. Gollerich.--Hoffbauer, bornin 1850, became in 1872 Director of the Gesang-Verein in Munich,went to Frankfort in 1880, and put an end to his own life. Hecomposed, among other things, the Operas "Cotzzata" and"Demetrius."]

[End of 1874.]

My hearty thanks for the kindly zeal with which you have taken upthe "Christus Oratorio." But a performance of it in Munichappears to me so doubtful, and connected with so much trouble,expense, and difficulty, that I must for the present dissuade youfrom the undertaking. Besides, it would not be possible for me toaccept your invitation for the end of February, as severalengagements will keep me in Pest till Easter. And, if ever yougive a performance of the Christus in Munich, I should much liketo be present. As yet the whole work has been only twice heard,in Weimar and Pest (in May and last November, '73).

In reply to your inquiry, I must mention Herr and Frau von Mildeand Frau Dr. Merian as specially well acquainted with and capableof taking the solo parts.

Accept the assurance of my utmost gratitude for your eagerness togive a performance of the Christus in Munich.

Most respectfully and sincerely yours,

F. Liszt

101. To Edmund Von Mihalovich

Very Dear Friend,

In spite of the legion of Dessoff, calm plains or storms, go onroaring bravely in the waters of the "Phantom Ship." Even shouldwe not succeed in arriving safely in port, and should we meet noother Senta than Her Highness Madam Criticism, it matters not;those who follow us in the same waters of the Ideal will be morefortunate...

"Et quasi cursores vitai lampada tradunt!"--

We will talk about all this fully in February, in the Fischplatz.

Will you be so kind as to send the enclosed letter to my graciousand admired translator of the "Chopin"--Mme. la Comtesse OttiliaWast? [A translation into Hungarian from the old edition of thebook.]

Further, I beg that you will recommend Taborszky to publishbefore Easter my St. Francois de Paule, which our very dearfriend Albert Apponyi has been good enough to adorn with hispoetry,--and also "L'hymne de l'enfant a son reveil," whichTaborszky must have received in November (with the German wordsby Cornelius and the addition of a harp part).

Schuberth has been seriously ill. I shall be after him to bringout your Geisterschiff [Phantom Ship] without any more delay.

A revoir in six weeks, and always

Very cordially yours,

F. Liszt

Villa d'Este, December 29th, 1874

On the occasion of the Wagner concert in Pest I should like my"Bells" to ring, and beg Abranyi to attune the HungarianKlingklang [ding-dong] of them speedily and beautifully.

[Liszt's "Glockengelaute" (Bell-ringing) consisted in this--thathe played the Beethoven E Concerto at the Wagner concert in Pest.He allowed himself to be persuaded to do this, as people wereafraid that, on account of the high prices, the concert would notbe full.--The "Bells of Strassburg Cathedral" were notperformed.]

162. To Carl Hoffbauer in Munich.

[From the copy of a draft of a letter by Dr. Minis.]

[Probably Pest, at the beginning of 1875.]

Very Dear Sir,

Your last letter exhibits so convincing a character of truth andnoble-mindedness that I sincerely rejoice at the prospect ofbecoming personally and in spirit better acquainted with you. Andfirst of all be assured of my special interest in your Opera"Comata." Whatever I may be able to do as regards arepresentation of it in a theater I shall not fail to do. InMunich we will read the score over together, and discuss furtherdetails.

Of your persistence in wishing to have the "Christus" performed Iwrote to Schuberth yesterday, and shall in full confidence leavethe whole matter to your considerate zeal. You will best knowwhether and how a successful performance can be made possible,and please therefore arrange matters altogether according as youthink fit. I beg you merely to let me know the day you fix uponsome 10 or 12 days previously, and address me to Pest (atEaster), if earlier to Weimar, and I will then come for the fullrehearsal.

[The performance took place on the 12th April, 1875. As a resultof this King Ludwig II ordered a separate performance in theCourt theater, and this again was followed by a public one.]

Respectful greetings to the poetess of the "Comata," and believeme, with marked esteem, yours gratefully and sincerely,

F. Liszt

163. To Professor Julius Stern in Berlin

Dear Friend,

For years past and again lately I have been very much indebted toyou. Our eminently learned and dear friend Weitzmann [Theoristand contrapuntist in Berlin (1808-1880)] told me of the carefulrehearsals, and of the admirable manner in which you conductedthe Faust Symphony. Owing to critical circumstances andnegativings I have, as a rule, to dissuade people everywhere fromgiving performances of my scores. All the more pleasantly am Iaffected by the goodwill of the few friends who carefully andcourageously march on in front.

Therefore, while offering you my sincerest thanks, I beg you toexcuse my not being just now able to accept the temptinginvitation to Berlin.

Yours most respectfully and sincerely,

F. Liszt

Rome, February 4th, 1875

(Next week I return to Pest, and at the beginning of April go toWeimar, where I should be delighted to welcome you again.)

164. To Count Albert Apponyi

[From a rough copy of a letter in the possession of Herr O. A.Schulz, bookseller in Leipzig.]

February 18th, [1875?]

This morning the Politische Volksblatt [The Political People's-Paper] brings me your portrait, my honored and dear friend. Thenotice accompanying it pleases me only in so far as it predicts agreat future for you, based on your very evident merits and greattalents. People are agreed upon your great height("Haupteslange")--all the better, for it corresponds to theheight of your character, and I bet a hundred to one that youwill never combat "the spirit of the times" ("Herr von Zeitgeistund Frau von offentliche Meinung," [Mr. Spirit of the Times andMrs. Public Opinion.] as the honorable Count Gozzi ceremoniouslysaid), except when you meet with stupidities and adventures onwhich this spirit of the times is astride.

A friendly invitation for tomorrow evening at the house of

Your very devoted and grateful

F. Liszt

165. To Johann Von Herbeck

Very Dear Friend,

My sincere thanks for your letter; gladly would I follow yourvery kind and "unselfish" request. To say "nay" to my friendsalways comes hard to me. But how can I act otherwise in face ofthe negativings of critics? And why should I not prefer abidingmy time in peace alone?

Now-a-days an artist is reckoning without his host if he placeshonest faith in the public. For people now-a-days hear and judgeonly by reading the newspapers.

I mean to take advantage of this in so far that the leading andfavorite papers of Vienna, Pest, Leipzig, Berlin, Paris, London,etc.--which abhor my humble compositions and have declared themworthless and objectionable--shall be relieved of all furtheroutward trouble concerning them. What is the good of performancesto people who only care to read newspapers?

Hence, dear good friend, let the "Gran Mass" [Herbeck, however,did have them performed.] and the "Glocken" ["Die Glocken desStrassburger Munsters"--"The Bells of Strassburg Cathedral"]remain unperformed in Vienna, where (in Easter week) you shallreceive a visit from yours most warmly and gratefully,

F. Liszt

Budapest, March 3rd, 1875

166. To Eduard Von Liszt

Dearest Eduard,

Give Lenbach my kindest thanks, and at the same time ask him tosend his extremely poetical portrait of Frau von Moukhanoff heresoon in honor of the noble lady and of the musical CommemorationFestival which we have announced for the middle of May. [Lisztdedicated an Elegie to the memory of this gifted lady.]

Tomorrow morning early I go to Hanover; my address there till May29th [This must mean the 29th April.] will be: "at Freiherr vonBronsart's, Intendant of the Hoftheater." On Saturday is theperformance of the "Elizabeth," and on the 29th the concert forthe benefit of the Bach monument.

My gracious Grand Duke is very urgent about my speedy return; Ishall, therefore, probably spend only 8 or 10 days at Schloss Loo(from the 2nd to the 12th May), and then return here forthwith.

The Tonkunstler-Versammlung is to be held in Dresden at the endof June. I long for some rest and quiet work.

Thine with all my heart,

F. Liszt

Weimar, April 22nd, 1875

167. To Adelheid Von Schorn in Rome

Dear Excellent One,

I come to keep you company a little in your convalescence,--faradvanced, I hope, so as to be something like a complete cure. Fora tisane [A soothing drink] I offer you some news of your carapatria. There are few variations at Weimar: the Grand Duke andGrand Duchess remain there till the end of June; the Emperor ofRussia is announced for the 25th June; the Hereditary Highnessesare going to the waters (Marienbad and Pyrmont) in a few days,and will return before the Grand Duke's fete (24th June);Gutschen Watzdorf is going on his own account independently toCarlsbad, Mme. de Loen to Reme (in Westphalia).

At the theater a tempered, but lively activity; during theselatter weeks a new Drama by Otto Roquette has been given--DerFeind im Hause. [The enemy in the house.] The subject is takenfrom the quarrel of the Colonna in Rome; the success of the piecewill not occasion any fresh quarrels; nor will that of two newOperas that I have seen--Der Widerspanstigen Bezahmung [Thesubduing of the refractory ones.] by Gotz and Golo of Scholz,which have come inopportunely into competition with Schumann'sGenoveva--a work which has been taken up again with markedsuccess this year (after it had been prudently ignored for twentyyears--except at Leipzig and Weimar) at Leipzig and Wiesbaden.Other theaters will mix themselves up with it, in spite of thenon-success of Genoveva at Vienna, where it was put on the stagein the winter of '74 with a most praiseworthy luxury ofdecoration and costumes.

At the time of the performance which I conducted, and that issome twenty years ago, I said: Genoveva is musically the sisterof Fidelio; only Leonora's pistol is wanting.

Tristan and Isolde, announced here for the 15th and 19thMay,...have remained at Munich with M. and Mme. Vogel, who havelost a child. Loen [The Weimar Intendant] and all the public arevery much put out at this untimely mourning; possibly the Vogelswill be able to come towards the end of June; I don't reckon onit much, but have written to them on the subject at Loen'srequest. If they accept, the Commemoration Matinee of Mme.Moukhanoff will take place between the two performances ofTristan, and the "Tempelherrenhaus" in our park has been chosenby us as the spot for this musical commemoration. I will send youthe programme.

Meanwhile here is that of Saturday last at the "OrchestralSchool"--a very useful establishment, well adapted to ourmodestly proud situation of Weimar, and which Muller-Hartungconducts according to my wishes. [The concert "in honor ofLiszt's first visit to the School" consisted entirely of works byhim.] Bruch's Odysseus--a musical illustration of Preller'sadmirable pictures in the Weimar museum--was performed lastThursday, conducted also by Muller-Hartung.

Lassen is in the middle of composing some fine choruses for thetwo "Fausts," which Devrient is intending to get up here in twoevenings, in conformity with his new scenic arrangement.

Very cordially yours,

F. Liszt

Weimar, May 17th, 1875

168. To Eduard von Liszt

Dearest Eduard,

.--. The day after tomorrow I join the Duke of Weimar's party atSchloss Wilhelmsthal, and shall remain there several days. Afterthat I should have liked to wait upon Cardinal Hohenlohe inSchillingsfurst; but His Eminence is at present at Bad Ragaz(Switzerland) undergoing some after-cure for a foot-trouble, theresult of some accident he met with last winter. When I receivehis answer I shall so arrange things that my visit toSchillingsfurst is paid as is agreeable in tempore opportuno.

From the 3rd to the 15th August I shall be in Bayreuth; afterthat I shall this year end with Weimar (without playing"Tannhauser" there, as a guest!) at the Carl-August Festival onSeptember 3rd, for which I have written a short and simple chorusin popular style, the text of which is furnished by King David:"The Lord preserveth the souls of His saints, and light is sownfor the righteous."

In contemplating this light in all humility,

I am, in true affection,

Thine,

F. Liszt

Weimar, July 17th, 1875

Enclosed are a few words for our Marie. If I had to choose acousin I should choose her. Hence I confess my innermostelective-affinity with papa and daughter.

Lenbach's wondrously inspired portrait of Madame Moukhanoff willtomorrow be sent back to Vienna to the Countess Coudenhoven.

169. To Louis Kohler

Very Dear Friend,

Merit and success, in your case, would seem always to stand inperfectly delightful harmony. Best thanks for your kindly letterand for sending your Opus 147: "Technische Kunstler-Studien"["Technical Artist-Studies"]. And although I am more disposed toturn away from than towards Methods and Pedagogics, still I haveread this work of yours with interest. The entrance of the pedalafter the striking of the chords as indicated by you at thebeginning of page 3, and as consistently carried through by youalmost to the utmost extreme, seems to me an ingenious idea, theapplication of which is greatly to be recommended to pianoforteplayers, teachers and composers--especially in slow tempi.

I regret that we are geographically so far apart; butsympathetically I remain in sincere esteem and in allfriendliness yours,

F. Liszt

Schloss Wilhelmsthal, July 27th, 1875

My friendly greetings to your very talented pupil AlfredReisenauer. Perhaps you may be coming to Weimar again shortly; Ishould be pleased to hear this.

One line in your friendly letter I answer herewith: proud of myKonigsberg title of doctor, and anxious to do it credit, Iwillingly refrain from giving performances of my humblecompositions anywhere.

170. To Carl Hillebrand in Florence

[The celebrated author of "Zeiten, Volker und Menschen" ["Times,People and Mankind"] and other works; born 1820; lived, from 1870until his death, in Florence, where a memorial tablet, ingratitude to his memory, was erected over his house in the Lung'Arno.]

Dear and Very Honored Friend,

Your friendly letter leaves me a good hope...for next year. Ihave just transmitted your thanks and the data relative to ourconcerted idea to the Grand Duke, who arrived at Ostend onThursday last, with his daughters, his son and his daughter-in-law. Their Royal Highnesses return to Weimar the 1st Septemberfor the fete of Carl August, which the Emperor and Empress ofGermany will solemnise with their presence. Monseigneur tells meto invite you to it. I observe to him that you will probably bedetained elsewhere; nevertheless, if you should come to Germanyat that moment, be assured that you will be warmly welcomed andreceived at the Court of Weimar.

The monument of Carl August will be inaugurated on the 3rdSeptember. The ceremony of the "Toison d'Or" ["Golden Fleece"],at which the Emperor will be the sponsor of his brother-in-law,our Grand Duke, will take place on the 4th. Then T.R.H. willleave Weimar, and my poor self return to the Villa d'Este(towards the middle of September) for as long a time as my verydear compatriots will allow of it. They press me strongly toreturn to Pest on the 1st November; before obeying them I shallcome and see you at Florence.

Please count always on the feelings of sincere and high esteem ofyour very cordially devoted

F. Liszt

Bayreuth, August 2nd, 1875

The papers keep you au courant of the marvels of Wagner's theaterhere. The performances (announced for the month of August '76) ofthe Tetralogy, "Der Ring des Nabelungen," will be the chief eventof dramatic Art, thus royally made manifest for the first time inthis century in its ensemble and unification of Poetry, Music,Acting, and their decorations of Painting and mise-en-scene.

There is not merely the chance, but the guarantee of a grand andstriking success, in view of the sublimity of the work itself,and also of the enthusiasm which it already excites amongst thenumerous staff of artists chosen to interpret it. In spite of thedifficulties of this new transcendental style of Wagner, thepreparatory study and rehearsals are an enchantment for thesingers and the musicians of the orchestra.

By the 18th August I shall be back at Weimar, and shall staythere till the 6th September.

To Madame Laussot my tender and grateful regards.

171. To Adelheid von Schorn

Dear Excellent One,

It is not without regret that I have given up the very sincerepleasure of meeting you now at Nuremberg. If you remained theretill towards the middle of September I should come and ask youwhat commissions you have for Rome, where I expect to arrivebefore the 20th September.

Here we are sailing in the full tide of the marvels of art. Everyday, morning and evening, one act of the "Ring des Nibelungen" isrehearsed in Wagner's new theater. The enthusiasm of the wholestaff of singers and orchestral players, to the number of about150, is as sincere as it is abundant, and everything augurs fornext year some prodigious performances of the immense and sublimework which royally dominates all contemporary Art, including theformer works of Wagner.

Cosima sends you a thousand affectionate messages, and isexpecting to see you at the time of the definite succession ofthe Nibelung-Ring in the month of August 1876. You were presentat the laying of the first stone of the monument, and must not beabsent at the crowning moment. .--.

Mme. de Schleinitz is staying here a fortnight longer, and isliving at the castle. She keeps herself continually at thehighest diapason of grace and charm, without ever missing theopportunity of effectually obliging her friends.

A revoir soon, dear and very excellent one; and ever from myheart your devoted

F. Liszt

Bayreuth, August 7th, 1875

I shall be back at Weimar by the 18th August.

172. To Dr. Franz Witt

[Probably August or September, 1875]

Much-esteemed Friend,

While greatly regretting to hear of your indisposition andthanking you sincerely for your last letter, I now ask you: Howare you going to answer the ministerial communication ofTrefort?--Are you willing to render important help as regardsChurch music in Hungary? Superfluous words are unbecoming to me;let us onward and act; and may your noble and stimulatinginfluence be granted to Hungary. Assuredly you will find thereadmiration, affection, and the necessary assistance in the greatservices you will render.

Thanks to your care I had excellent and very inspired companyduring my two days' journey from Nuremberg to Rome. Your parallel"Bach and Handel" delighted me more than the famous landscapes ofthe Brenner. Allow me specially to praise your fine insight intoand correct interpretation of the various musical forms ofculture from the Motet to the Mass and the Oratorio.

Some portions also of the "Allgemeine musikalische Erzieh-undUnterrichtslehre" [Universal Musical Instruction] pleased me--(inspite of my inaptitude in things pedagogical), especially themain idea of the work:--that musical instruction should not beseparated from, but form a part in, the course of education; arelevant thought, the practical application of which willessentially benefit, and prove useful to, art as well aseducation.

Again my cordial thanks for the hours at Nuremberg, and bestgreetings to the amiable comrades in art Fraulein Ida andAuguste.

Yours respectfully and sincerely,

F. Liszt

Rome, September 28th, 1875

174. To Eduard von Liszt

Rome, September 29th, 1875

Dearest Eduard,

Wherever we may be we ever remain one in heart. Probably I shallbe in Budapest as early as the middle of November, on account ofthe Musik-Akademie, which it is my duty to shape in accordancewith the standard of somewhat difficult local circumstances.Appointments have already been made by the Minister Trefort: